As Nepalese women pleaded for food, shelter and anything else the helicopter might have brought on an in-and-out run Wednesday to this smashed mountain village near the epicenter of last weekend’s mammoth earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people.

Unlike in Nepal’s capital, where most buildings were spared complete collapse, the tiny hamlets clinging to the remote mountainsides of Gorkha District have been ravaged. Entire clusters of homes were reduced to piles of stone and splintered wood. Orange plastic tarps used for shelter now dot the cliff sides and terraced rice paddies carved into the land.

Food is not the only necessity in short supply out here beyond the reaches of paved roads, electricity poles and other benefits of the modern world. These days, even water is scarce. Communication is a challenge and modern medical care is a luxury many have never received.

Gumda is one of a handful of villages identified as the worst hit by Saturday’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake, from which it will almost certainly take years to recover.

As in many villages, though, the death toll in Gumda was far lower than feared, since many villagers were working outdoors when the quake struck at midday. Of Gumda’s 1,300 people, five were killed in the quake and 20 more were injured.

8 million Nepalese have been affected by the earthquake, including 1.4 million needing immediate food assistance. The relief effort is likely to stretch on for months.

The disaster also injured more than 10,000, police said, and rendered thousands more homeless. The U.N. says the disaster has affected 8.1 million people — more than a fourth of Nepal’s population of 27.8 million — and that 1.4 million needed food assistance.

Excerpt of a story from the Associated Press

Nepal government says foreign rescue teams not needed

The government of Nepal has told aid agencies that it doesn’t need anymore foreign rescue teams in the aftermath of Saturdays earthquake. Many of the International search and rescue teams are stuck in Kathmandu as some parts of the hardest hit mountainous areas remain without aid due to difficult access. And even in accessible areas, the government is struggling to get help to the estimated eight million people who have been affected by the disaster, as CCTV’s Tony Cheng reported.

Nepal government says foreign rescue teams not needed

The government of Nepal has told aid agencies that it doesn't need anymore foreign rescue teams in the aftermath of Saturdays earthquake. Many of the International search and rescue teams are stuck in Kathmandu as some parts of the hardest hit mountainous areas remain without aid due to difficult access. And even in accessible areas, the government is struggling to get help to the estimated eight million people who have been affected by the disaster, as CCTV's Tony Cheng reported.

Shelter construction starts for displaced Tibetans

The construction of temporary shelters has started in the Tibetan city of Xigaze. More than 5-thousand residents who were trapped in the town of Zham on the Nepal border were relocated to Xigaze on Tuesday after various roads in the area were cleared. Yang Zhao filed this report.

Shelter construction starts for displaced Tibetans

The construction of temporary shelters has started in the Tibetan city of Xigaze. More than 5-thousand residents who were trapped in the town of Zham on the Nepal border were relocated to Xigaze on Tuesday after various roads in the area were cleared. Yang Zhao filed this report.

Man rescued by Chinese team after three days

Days after the earthquake in Nepal, the chance of finding survivors in the rubble is diminishing. Rescue teams from many countries are digging through the rubble. CCTV’s John Metherell brings us the story of a survivor buried for three days and rescued by a Chinese team.

Man rescued by Chinese team after three days

Days after the earthquake in Nepal, the chance of finding survivors in the rubble is diminishing. Rescue teams from many countries are digging through the rubble. CCTV's John Metherell brings us the story of a survivor buried for three days and rescued by a Chinese team.

Survivors at Mt Everest share stories

The death toll from the earthquake in Nepal has now surpassed five thousand, and is expected to go higher still. That number includes 19 mountain climbers killed when a quake-triggered avalanche swept through the base camp at Mt. Everest. CCTV’s Hendrik Sybrandy filed this story from Colorado.

Survivors at Mt Everest share stories

The death toll from the earthquake in Nepal has now surpassed five thousand, and is expected to go higher still. That number includes 19 mountain climbers killed when a quake-triggered avalanche swept through the base camp at Mt. Everest. CCTV's Hendrik Sybrandy filed this story from Colorado.

Laurence Brahm from HCI discusses rescue in Nepal earthquake

For more on the rescue in Nepal earthquake, CCTV America interviewed Laurence Brahm the founder of Himalayan Consensus Institute.

Laurence Brahm from HCI discusses rescue in Nepal earthquake

For more on the rescue in Nepal earthquake, CCTV America interviewed Laurence Brahm the founder of Himalayan Consensus Institute.

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